distant

adjective

dis·​tant ˈdi-stənt How to pronounce distant (audio)
1
a
: separated in space : away
a mile distant
b
: situated at a great distance (see distance entry 1 sense 2a) : far-off
a distant galaxy
c
: having a great amount of separation between each other : separated by a great distance from each other : far apart
visiting distant places
distant campuses
d
: far behind
finished a distant third
2
: separated in a relationship other than spatial
a distant cousin
the distant past
3
: different in kind
from two very distant backgrounds
4
: reserved or aloof in personal relationship : cold
was distant and distracted
5
a
: going a long distance
distant voyages
b
: concerned with remote (see remote entry 1 sense 2) things
distant thoughts
distantly adverb
distantness noun

Examples of distant in a Sentence

In the distant past, dinosaurs roamed the earth. The day I left home is now a distant memory.
Recent Examples on the Web Water-guzzling factories are also coming under criticism, while an unknown quantity of water is siphoned off by organized crime groups to maintain lucrative avocado orchards that have sprung up near the distant reservoirs that supply water to Mexico City. Emily Green, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 In previous years, IATSE has prioritized touchpoints like wage increases and higher living allowances for nearby and distant hires. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 The deteriorating water system that brings in water from distant sources already leaks around 40% of water. USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 Early results put Rivas in first place, with Bernal a distant second. Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 First up, as expected President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump locked up their respective primaries, while former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley trailed in a distant second in the California Republican Party’s presidential primary. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 Shenzhen in southeastern China — the hometown of BYD, the country’s dominant electric vehicle manufacturer — issued 24 municipal directives last week to increase overseas car sales, notably by helping companies in the city to buy more ships that can carry cars to distant markets. Chris Buckley, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Picked to finish a distant last in the West Coast Conference, USD managed to post a 17-14 regular-season record and earn a No. 5 seed in the conference tournament. Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024 Best Sound The Zone of Interest In perhaps the BAFTAs’ biggest surprise, voters rewarded subtlety (e.g., distant gunshots) over volume by choosing Zone over Oppenheimer. Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin distant-, distans, present participle of distare to stand apart, be distant, from dis- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of distant was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Distant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distant. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

distant

adjective
dis·​tant ˈdis-tənt How to pronounce distant (audio)
1
a
: separated in space or time : away
b
: being at a great distance : far-off
distant galaxies
c
: far apart
2
: not close in relationship
distant cousin
3
distantly adverb
distantness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on distant

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